Common wealth of melody
Madhushree lends her voice for the opening song of the Commonwealth Games
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

From Kolkata to Holland to South America and finally to Mumbai, humming her way into people's heart, singer Madhushree came into limelight after she sang Kabhi neem neem, kabhi shahd shahd for Yuva. Though her musical journey started way back in her childhood, her first break as singer in Bollywood came with Moksh. "Though I sang a number of songs, but it was after Kabhi neem… that I got recognition in Bollywood." Having bagged the best female singer award for the song, she admits, "I can say my real career as a singer started only after this song and since then there has been no looking back."

In the city for recording of a song for the 10th Commonwealth Games, she says, "I am singing the opening song for the Commonwealth Games. And its lyrics are by Sardar Anjum. He couldn't fly to Mumbai because of his health problems, so I decided to come down and record here, as his presence was needed for the song."

Sports and music are an unusual combination, but our lady has expertise in both. "Before I made my mind to take up music as a full time career, I was into sports. I am an athlete and till college I was regular in the sport scene. And when this opportunity to sing for the Commonwealth Games came, my sportsman spirit came to the fore and I was all game."

Having sung some great numbers like In lamhon ke daman me (Jodhaa Akhbar), Hum hain iss pal yahan (Kisna), Naina milaike (Saathiya), Tu bin bataye (Rang De Basanti) and Ek meetha Marz dede (Welocome to Sajjanpur), she comments on the brigade of singers that reality shows are producing these days, "I have also participated in a reality show, Jhoom India, but it had great competition and luckily I won with my partner Sachin Tyagi. But these days we have too many musical reality shows on air, and it's a repetition of things."

On the changing music scenario she says, "Definitely, it has changed over the years. Melody is there and would remain, but these days rhythm is gaining more importance. Songs have too be foot-tapping and as singers we have to evolve with the change as we don't sing for ourselves but for the public and this is what they like these days."

Having released a solo album Lagi Lagan, which has a thumri base, she says, "I was scared to do this album as I didn't know how people would take it. A number of people dissuaded me too, but then I presented it in a fusion-a semi-classical pop, and now it's a hit."

While our lady believes in quality then quantity, about the trend of singing good and looking great, she says, "The trend has changed over the years, earlier if you were a singer all you needed was a good voice, but these days you have to look good too. Though this trend sure keeps you fit, but has deviated singers from their real goal."

Ask her who's her favourite singer and she says, "Lataji and Ashaji are legends but I like Alkaji's style of singing."

Versatile, Madhushree likes to sing romantic songs and about her forthcoming songs she says, "I have recorded two songs for A.R Rehman, one for an untitled movie of Ayesha Shroff. I have also sung for a movie Chintu Ji and an album with Sardar Anjum is in pipeline."

Seven yours ago, when I was sent to cover an exhibition of paintings by Sir Sobha Singh at Punjab Kala Bhavan, I expressed my desire to meet the artist in person to one of the organisers. 'You are a little too late, Sobha Singhji passed away in 1986', I was politely informed. All I could do was to curse myself for not doing my homework before landing at the venue. But the rush of blood I felt on my face that particular moment is still fresh on my mind. So, when the other day, a young documentary maker walked up to my office claiming that he has made a documentary on the legendary artist, I immediately warmed up to him, especially when he mentioned that his amateurish attempt is to make the youngsters aware about the life and works of Sobha Singh.

The name of the young guy is Navalpreet Rangi who calls himself a freelance film- maker. "I had earlier made documentaries on Ustad Lal Chand Yamna Jat and Kartar Singh Saraha," he added to his introductory speech. Well, since we are more interested in Sobha Singh we bring him back to the track. "I am planning to show the documentary which is titled Documentary Film on Artist Sobha Singh at Andretta to screen on the occasion of Sobha Singh's birth anniversary which falls on November 29," he informs.

The 45-minute documentary captures life history of Sobha Singh starting from 1923 when he started his Mehta Studio at Amritsar up to his last days in Andretta. While this art lover has re-created the life of the artist, he has added sound bytes from artists like Mehar Singh and Harveer Singh Babhar who were his disciples and also Sobha Singh's daughter Harcharan Kaur and grandson Hridaypal Singh.

"Not too many of our generation are aware of the greatness of this saint artists. Though the Himachal Government gave him land to make a museum, after he has gone, nobody has paid much attention about preserving his work or the work place. The building and even his precious works are deteriorating," says Navalpreet, adding many have even duped the family in the name of helping them out. "So, many have taken away his paintings on some pretext or the other," he says.

Navalpreet during the course of his research has come to know that Sobha Singh had painted about 2000 paintings including portraits of Sikh Gurus and members of the royal families in Punjab and Himachal. "We have come to know that 200 of his paintings are lying with some collector whom we are trying to trace out," he says.

That is an important mission to be accomplished. But right now Navalpreet is busy screening his documentary among art lovers. It was screen at the Government College of Art-10 on Thursday. Earlier, it was screened at Spring Wheel Film Festival in Toronto.

Last year, when Naresh Pandit from Himachal exhibited his paintings under the title ‘An Exhibition of Pahari Art’, we saw the emergence of a new trend – mixing of the traits of Pahari painting with that of modern art. The soft and dreamy expression of Himachali women, in his paintings, was replaced by harsh reality. The changing face of Pahari art, we were told. Naresh justified it by saying that though Pahari paintings are beautiful, they are no longer relevant to society. And as they have been produced and reproduced time and again, there is nothing new to it, nor they are socially relevant. True.

So, it was refreshing to see a number of mountainscapes and human forms, coming alive on his canvas, executed in two-dimensional form, which is a trademark of Pahari paintings. While we lauded his effort to popularise Pahari art by making it palatable for the modern generation, we could not help but wondering if it this shift would spell a doom for the Pahari School of Painting.

But having seen Vijay Singh Chouhan’s works at his studio at Mayo College, Ajmer, one of the few remaining artists from the Ajmer School of Miniature Painting, who is carrying out a similar kind of experiment for his women series, realisation downed in – evolution is the order of life or should we say art, and sometimes nostalgia has to take a back seat.

Not that the byproducts of both Naresh and Chouhan’s experiments do not give us something to rave about. While Naresh’s portrayal of Nirmla Devi, the much-talked about woman from Mandi, who killed a leopard with her knife in order to save herself, is still fresh in our memory, Chouhan’s work needs a special mention here. But before that here is an introduction to the artist – a passout from JJ School of Art, Mumbai, with specialisation in traditional miniatures, Chouhan has been teaching art in Mayo College since 1986.

Since generations Chouhan’s family has been into miniature paintings and so it was a conscious decision to break away from it to try out something new. And as an art critic has rightfully said, ‘artists like him are rebels but not without a cause, they submit to reality to which they happen to be born and yet not fatalistically so. They instinctively know that a past cannot be shaken off and yet the past must be reappraised by the community living in the present moment. He is not out to destroy the traces of the past’. This is exactly what is being reflected in his latest series. As he pays a tribute to Indian women, showing her journey from the past to present, he explores the relationship between art, culture, history, anthropology and contemporary life. Executed with vibrant colours, strong forms, traditional motifs and calligraphy, each frame represents the true essence of Rajasthan – its history, spirituality and architecture. His women forms come as full-bodied, something with remind one of Raja Ravi Verma’s paintings.

“One has to move with time. There is nothing new to add to miniatures anymore and for how long one can go on making replicas?” he asks. And after having a look at the treasure trove in form of the women series that lies at his studio at Mayo College, we gladly agree with him.

A star-studded event attended by the entire cast of Chakk De Phatte, including Jaspal Bhatti, Gurpreet
Ghuggi, Jaswinder Bhalla, Vivek Shauq, Savita Bhatti and B. N. Sharma, marked the film’s preview at the Fun Republic in Chandigarh on Thursday.

The movie, being produced by noted actor-director Sameep Kang, is a hilarious comedy about typical Punjabi characters yearning to marry a rich NRI girl.

Addressing mediapersons ahead of the preview, Kang informed that the movie had the region’s best comic talent pitted against each other. The movie revolved around a bunch of gullible characters hell bent upon marrying a rich NRI girl, played by Mahie Gill, who, in return, nurtures hopes for a Punjabi-born-and- bred bridegroom. Devinder Sandhu, the producer, said the movie, co-directed by Kshitij Chaudhary, is meant to be a laugh riot with the message to shun easy getaways to riches
and fame.

Jaspal Bhatti, while answering to a query, likened the fibre of Chak De Phatte to Mahaul Theek Hai, also a Punjabi comedy. Ghuggi said he was hopeful as
the movie promised what cinegoers expected: non-stop entertainment. —
TNS

Having been in the business for ages, would she like to tell us, how to recognise the pure Pashmina variety from the fake ones? She says, “There’s no mathematical formula but you just know it. If it feels soft, light and warm to the touch, it probably is. It depends on the fineness of the materials.”

From a wind protector to an accessory, shawls have a come a long way. What has not changed is people’s obsession to experiment with this piece of garment. So, when Rama Sud tells us her company Down the Ages has been putting up exhibitions for the past seven or eight years and only on shawls, stoles and capes, it’s understandable. “It’s our specialty,” as Rama puts in.

The year-long work results in an exhibit of handpicked shawls, designed and made to order by Nadia Sud. As she says, “It takes us one whole year to work on three to four thousand pieces.” Quite a quantity considering the experimentation that went behind the pieces right from selection of the fabrics to the way they were
developed.

There’s Zafran, as she likes to say, ‘is the latest’ and consists of silk Pashmina with wool, then one also has twill, which is wool and Pashmina mixture, Shahbano, a name for loosely-oven pashmina. Add to it lots of intricate work like hand painting and embroidery in traditional patterns of paisleys and soft geometry. So, what type of shawls will rule this season? Says Rama, “This winter bright colours like pinks, reds and oranges will rule, besides of course the all time favourites blacks, browns and navy.” Apart from the variety, what else is remarkable is the price, from Rs 1,500 to 60, 000. That’s a broad one, by any standards. She says, “We are targeting modern Indian women, and we don’t focus on any one particular segment. It’s for every age group. From housewives to working women.” And they claim to use the pure variety, be it silk or wool. Take your
pick. — TNS

The annual two-day fest of NIIFT mohali is the place where fashion, food and fun converge. Arc En Ciel’ 08 is just the platform for the creativity and imagination of the students of fashion designing to take shape.

The students of various courses like fashion designing, textile designing knit wear design technology and garment manufacturing technology and fashion retail management left no stone unturned to make the fest a success.

The show sponsored by Tress Master saw students indulging in various activities like photography, music and dance competitions, tattoo making and some on the spot competitions.

The famous group rock band Silence enthralled the audience on their tunes and set their adrenalin pumping. The spark of fashion in the fest will be Andaz Apna Apna, where students will display their talent on ramp.
— TNS

Lovers of one-piece dresses couldn’t have asked for more. A show of contemporary Western wear by India’s leading young designers, including Gaurav Gupta, Namrata Joshipura, Prashant Verma, Lecoanet Hemant, Nachiket Barve, Siddharth Tytler and more, was held at Kidsown-17 on Thursday.

And no, with so many names it was not a patchwork. Rather a selection of wearable pieces chosen carefully. So, any criteria for choosing the above mentioned designers? As Shaan Thadani, the curator, says, “We have a certain idea, certain aesthetic sense in our mind and this is basically for the people that fit within these parameters. Everything was chosen accordingly.” This is for the first time he brought his pieces to the city. What brought him here? He says, “We did certain groundwork, spoke to a lot of people. And discovered that people here well-traveled and have a clear idea as what
they want.”

On display, are dresses in silk and satin, with heavy to light corsage in vibrant hues of fuchsia, electric pink, lime green, beige and the ubiquitous black. There are also lots of elegant pieces in straight cuts and understated, muted colours, besides of course, the embellishment of crystals. So, what trends does he think are going to rule this season? He says, “Lots of layering and pleats will dictate the look this year.”

And why only Western wear? Says Shaan, “Indian designers have an edge over collections from brands like Mango etc, because they know an Indian woman’s body better and it’s always nice to have an Indian designer’s creations.”

Post-Chandigarh, their next stop will be Sri-Lanka, Dubai, Chennai and Delhi.

There is only one ill associated with the designer tags, the price! What about the collection here? He says, “All the pieces are priced between Rs 4,000 to Rs 25,000. Got to pay some price to own a designer
tag! — TNS

It’s all in the numbers and going by our growing interests in numerology that is what seems to be the mantra for life these days. In a media interaction at Shivalikview on Thursday, renowned astrologer P.Khurrana asserted that numbers can influence the life of a person in terms of career, food, love, sex, Vastu and other areas. “The science of numerology helps in Mantraism and Spiritualism. It also guides you about your favourable, lucky numbers, lucky days. You can also opt for a right career in your life,” he said.

He also has an upcoming programme based on numerology on LIVE INDIA, a live talk show whose episodes would be written and anchored by him. The astrologer has around 18 books to his credit and a well-known celebrity client list.
— TNS

Who makes you feel ten feet tall when you are crawling around like an insecure worm? Who offers you unabashed love even after a sound thrashing? Who thinks you are God and Goddess rolled into one? Who looks at you and appreciates every morsel, even if your food tastes like garbage? Who warms your feet in winter? Who thinks you are the prettiest/handsomest in the world even when you have a mug like a squashed kaddu? Who cleans your face every morning? Who loves you inspite of three bathless days? Who waits all day for you at the gate each time you return? Who picks up the nearest napkin available and honours you as you step into a room? Who greets you like a long lost friend even when you have been away only an hour? Who escorts you to the loo on wintery nights, just incase you are incapable of doing the needful? Who protects you from visitors, salesmen, beggars and thieves? If your answer is mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, servants, policemen, watchmen, cats or geese, you get a zero. The above resume’ only fits a mutt, pooch or dog.

When friends and children move on to different areas of the globe, they leave behind the flotsam of their previous lives, which include pets. There is heartbreak on both sides but ultimately both adapt to new surroundings but never forget their childhood companions. Rohit and Tanu’s retriever was left in Dehradun the day they moved to the UK. Meaghan is well looked after and is in remission for cancer. She is 11 years old and walks slowly on arthiritic legs. Enough money is sent for her operations and treatment. And yet when I met her for 30 minutes, she put her head in my lap and looked up soulfully as if to say, “You are the mother of my master- I can smell his blood in you.” It was one of the most poignant moments in my life, as Meaghan and I had never had too ecstatic a relationship earlier on.

Jayant and Charu left for Australia. Cappuchinu, only three years old, was not welcomed in any home because of his 60kg weight and boundless, destructive energy. Finally Jayant’s grandmother offered him a place as she had just lost her beloved pointer, Badshah. Chinu drops people, pinches food, crushes and eats stones (I wonder if he has a gizzard instead of the liver?) and Ankita’s homework sheets. He crunches spectacles and mobiles, tears important letters and the daily paper and deposits in the centre of a struggling lawn. His sole aim is to play with Stelli Minelli, our golden cocker spaniel, who weighs 13 kilos. He sits in every doorway so that he is noticed and can be stepped over or into. After two months of utter confusion and sorrow, he has come to terms with his loss.

Like special children, the giant and the dwarf have learnt a lot in each other’s company. Enemy no.1 is Sonu the garbage man, who takes away all the smelliest kitchen debris every morning. Their favourite human is Sangita who feeds talks to and coddles them. Both are wary of Chinny who scolds them and asks in an angry voice, “Tell me who did this?” This admonition signals playing possum under the bed or behind a sofa, while admitting nothing. Chinu, who once hated cars, now wants to join Stelli for a ride. Soon he may even get it! How could we ever live without these two clowns?

Gut guy
Abhay Deol, who is set to turn producer, says he trusts his instinct while choosing a script

Actor Abhay Deol has decided to turn producer and will launch his first home production Junction, to be directed by debutante Atul Sabrawal under the banner Forbidden films.

According to Abhay, "Junction would go on the floor next year."

"I have decided to branch out to other medium of film-making. I am not giving up acting. But, will not be facing the camera for films, which I produce," he added, on the eve of the release of his film Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye!

Abhay, who has chosen unconventional scripts since his debut as an actor in Imtiaz Ali's Socha Na Tha, said he is getting emotional support from his extended family comprising uncle Dharmendra and cousins Sunny and Bobby Deol.

Abhay , who has carved a niche for himself in the tinsel town through unconventional films and offbeat roles, goes by his instinct and follows his heart when it comes to choosing film scripts.

"I have not made a conscious decision to be different from others. But, I focus on good scripts and follow my heart," Abhay who has picked up different scripts unlike his more conventional cousins from Bollywood, said.

The young actor, who touched chords with cine buffs with his unconventional films like Socha Na Tha, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local', Ahista Ahista, Manorama Six Feet Under said that he isn't afraid of experimentation and feels that all his performances till date have been appreciated irrespective how the film fared at the box office.

On why he takes risks by working on offbeat subjects, Abhay said every film was a risk.

"Sometimes, you minimise the risk by working with established names in the industry. In my case, I have worked with people who are not established. As I said, I follow my heart when I select the films I want to be part off," he said.

Abhay is in Panaji to attend the premiere of Oye Lucky ..." at the
IFFI.

In spite of the poor box-office performance of his last movie Janaa - Let's Fall in Love in 2006, Khanna has signed as many as eight movies, of which Wafaa will be the first to be released. Perhaps Bollywood's first superstar, in this movie Khanna will be courting a much younger actor. The movie has been directed by Rakesh Sawant-actor Rakhi Sawant's brother, who last made Hot Money, a B-grade box-office dud.

Khanna's role in Wafaa is that of an elderly man who is married to a young girl, played by 20-year-old newcomer Laila Khan. How the odd couple tries to save their marriage is what the movie is about.

"At my age, this is the fit role for me. I am taking it as a challenge for myself, to prove that the actor in me is still alive and kicking, whatever may be the film's fate at the box office," Khanna, who is in his 60s, said.

In Janaa..., he shared screen space with his colleague from the past, Zeenat Aman. Directed by Shahrukh Mirza, it turned out to be a damp squib and neither Khanna nor Aman could benefit from it.

While Aman seems to be on a sabbatical from movies, appearing only in public functions occasionally, Khanna has chosen to pick up the gauntlet once again.

Bollywood actor Kajol, danseuse Geeta Chandran and filmmaker Pritish Nandy were among 52 awardees of the third Karmaveer Puraskar awards given away in the capital on Wednesday for their social service work.

Divya Arora, a differently-abled scriptwriter, director and theatre actor who was presented the Civil Society Disability award said it was a recognition for people like her.

"It is high time people recognise us for our work and not for how we are. When people can accept Rani Mukherji in Black'and Hrithik Roshan in Koi Mil Gaya, why cannot other people," Divya said.

Bollywood actor Kajol, who works for women and children education and is all set to start an orphanage in Mumbai, said her work is very negligible in comparison to what the other awardees have achieved.

"I don't think I deserve to be among these people. What I do is very humble in front of them," she said.

"I am very much interested to act with Daniel Craig but I would prefer to act with Rajnikanth than him," she said.

The actor, who made her debut in Tamil film 'Thamizhan' with Actor Vijay said, "It was my first movie and it is very special".

Speaking at the launch of a new edition of Tag Heuer watches, the actor who is company's brand ambassador said, "I love speed and I always prefer it that way. I like it (the watch) as it is not only elegant but also sporty".
— PTI, IANS

Wife of ace golfer Jyoti Randhawa, Chitrangada Singh made a dream debut in Hazaron Khwaishen Aisi in 2003 and then made her impression with Kal, Yesterday and Tomorrow. And now after a gap of two years the actor will be seen in Director Onir's Sorry Bhai. Touted as the next Smita Patil, we talk to her about, movies, marriage and acting.

Tell us about Sorry Bhai'

It is a beautiful romantic comedy, a far cry from the intense Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi.

To be acting with Shabana Azmi who compares you to Smita Patil, does that weigh upon you?

I take it as a big compliment. It is quite a scale to even try and match.

How would you rate Sharman Joshi and Sanjay Suri as co-stars?

Both are wonderful to work with. Sharman and Sanjay Suri are very passionate about cinema, and to top it, they are extremely talented.

Does being married make a difference?

When I go to work I am just an actor married or unmarried does not matter really.

What do you consider when taking a film?

The plot, director and the co-stars.

What attracted you to Sorry Bhai?

The fact that it was a romantic comedy, the manner in which director Onir narrated the subject to me and Boman Irani and Shabana Azmi were the names that nailed me to the movie.

What kind of roles do your prefer?

I would like to try varied characters and do diverse roles.

What about the support from your family?

My husband is a constant source of encouragement and gives me full support.

Your upcoming projects

Sudhir Mishra's Aur Devas in this movie I play Chandramukhi and I also star in Sudhir's next Nawab, John Company.

RITU: This is a series of three albums dedicated to music of different seasons: Sharad-Hemant, Shishir-Basant and Grishma-Varsha sung by such stalwarts as Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar and Gundecha brothers; Pt Ajay Pohankar and Rajan and Sajan Mishra; and Acharya Gokul Utsav Maharaj and Pt Ajay Chakravarty.

In Indian system, there is a unique celebration for each of the six seasons. Certain ragas are considered the most apt for each of these seasons. The melodic beauty and splendour of that particular raga is at its very best if it is sung during the particular season. Perhaps this has something to do with the changes that take place in one's body and mind on the basis of the seasons, which then arouse different types of moods and emotions.

Sharad-Hemant, for example, is the winter season and is most conducive for Raga Gorakh Kalyan and Hemant. These have been presented here by Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar and Gundecha brothers.

Raag Bairaagi and Raag Basant Bahar - rendered here by Pt Ajay Pohankar and Rajan and Sajan Mishra-are very colourful ragas, just like the Shishir and Basant period.

Acharya Gokul Utsav Maharaj and Pt Ajay Chakravarty manifest Raag Sarang, which is synonymous with the blistering heat of summer and Raag Miyan ki Malhar connected with the onset of the monsoons. Miyan ki Malhar was the raga reputedly sung by Tansen to bring rain showers to the earth.

ETERNAL MUSIC AND
GURBANI

These two separate albums present Padma Shri Madhup Mudgal in two different moulds. While in the former, the head of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya pays a tribute to Hindustani music, the latter, as the name suggests, is a blissful classical expression of the Gurbani.

The ragas presented in "Eternal Music" are Jaijaiwanti, Darbari Kanhada and Jog. Jaijaiwanti, the sweet sounding delicate raga of the "khamaj that" which is played late in the night has been represented here by a traditional composition, Mathe Jada Chanda in Vilambit Ektaal and another by Pt Kumar Gandharva, Ye main layee sera Banara Ka in Drut Teentaal.